National Cancer Institute

at the National Institutes of Health

Prostate Cancer: Prevention, Genetics, Causes

Prevention

Prostate Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)[ patient ][ health professional ]Expert-reviewed information summary about factors that may influence the risk of developing prostate cancer and about research aimed at the prevention of this disease.

Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements (PDQ®)[ patient ][ health professional ]Expert-reviewed information summary about the use of nutrition and dietary supplements for reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer or for treating prostate cancer.

Check for prostate cancer prevention trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients. The list of clinical trials can be refined by location, stage of disease, drug, and other features.

Long-term follow-up results from a phase III trial show that regular use of finasteride (Proscar®) for up to 7 years decreased the risk of low-grade prostate cancer in men age 55 and older compared with that in men who received a placebo. Although high-grade cancers were more common in the finasteride group, the finasteride and placebo groups had similar 15-year overall survival rates.

Genetics

Genetics of Prostate Cancer (PDQ®)[ health professional ]Expert-reviewed information summary about the genetics of prostate cancer, including information about specific genes and family cancer syndromes. The summary also contains information about screening for prostate cancer and research aimed at prevention of this disease. Psychosocial issues associated with genetic testing and counseling of individuals who may have hereditary prostate cancer syndrome are also discussed.